Maradona Archives - Page 2 of 2 - The Cult of Calcio

From Serie A Winner to Homeless: The Sad Story of Pietro Puzone

June 27, 2020 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Napoli, Portraits, Serie A

Pietro Puzone once won the Scudetto with Napoli playing alongside Diego Maradona. Today, he lives as a homeless person in his native town of Acerra. The sad story of this former football player has been making headlines in Italy over the past few days as a video of Puzone living in dreadful conditions circulated in multiple sport media outlets.

Maradona and CR7 Both Made Their Serie A Debut In Verona

June 23, 2020 Andrea Salvarezza Hellas Verona, Napoli, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

There is something that Cristiano Ronaldo shares with Diego Maradona, when it comes to his Serie A debut. Just like for the Argentinian legend, CR7’s first match in Italy took place at the Bentegodi Stadium in Verona. Juventus played Chievo in their Serie A 2018-19 opening match, whereas Napoli traveled to Verona to face Hellas in the 1984-85 season.

The All-Time Top 11 Argentinian Players In Serie A

May 9, 2020 Avram Iclozan Argentina, Argentinian Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Top 11 2 comments

Players from Argentina have been a long-standing presence in Serie A since the league opened its frontiers to foreign players. With so many names to choose from and a couple of spots filled with no explanation needed (did anybody say Maradona?), we are sure our all-time Albiceleste selection in Italian sauce will spark some healthy debate.

Temples of The Cult: The San Paolo Stadium In Napoli

March 29, 2020 Thomas Salvatori Italian Football, Napoli, San Paolo, Serie A, Temples of The Cult 3 comments

It is quite common to see Napoli play in international cups nowadays, but that has not always been the case. Since Diego Maradona’s doping ban, Napoli have had many ups and downs (more downs, actually…) and even went through a re-foundation of the club back in 2004. One thing, however, always stood there, firmly, in all its glory: The San Paolo Stadium.

Throwback Thursday: Il Bentegodi, dove esordiscono i Grandi

August 15, 2018 Andrea Salvarezza Hellas Verona, Napoli, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

If the Roma-Juventus feud characterized the first half of the ‘80s in Italian football, there is no doubt about Milan-Napoli being the most exciting duel towards the end of the decade. The match that set the beginning of this rivalry took place on January 3, 1988, when Ruud Gullit – who had just been awarded the Ballon d’Or for the year 1987 – drove the Partenopei nuts, and inflicted them their first seasonal defeat.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Vamos a Ganar, Argentina!

June 26, 2018 Diego Ottaviano Argentina, Meanwhile In Moscow, Nigeria, World Cup, World Cup 2018

Argentina put their heart beyond criticism tonight, as they prevailed 2-1 over Nigeria to sneak into the World Cup Round of 16 from the second place of Group D. An extremely important win for coach Jorge Sampaoli’s selection, which came at the end of some pretty stormy days. Goals by Lionel Messi and Marcos Rojo vanified Victor Moses' penalty equaliser.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Messi Bumps Into Iceland Wall

June 17, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Argentina, Iceland, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

Everyone was calling for Lionel Messi to respond to Cristiano Ronaldo’s bullying debut. Underdog Iceland looked like a comfortable test on paper, yet the hero of the day turned out to be Icelandic goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson, who saved a penalty from La Pulce and led his side to a stunning 1-1 tie with Argentina in the opening match of World Cup Pool D.

Meteore Mondiali: Schillaci, Re Mida senza corona di Italia ’90

June 10, 2018 Antonio Guarini Argentina, Germany, Italy, Meanwhile In Moscow, The Azzurri, The Grass Is Greener, World Cup

As World Cup 1990 approached, Italy's coach Azeglio Vicini could lineup strikers such as Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Baggio. Still, he decided to add to his squad a little known Sicilian forward from Juventus. His name was Salvatore Schillaci, and he became the underdog King of the Notti Magiche ("Magic Nights") of Italia '90, scoring 6 goals and leading the Azzurri to the 3rd place.

Meteore Mondiali: Goycochea, l’ammazza-sogni delle Notti Magiche

June 10, 2018 Antonio Guarini Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Meanwhile In Moscow, The Azzurri, The Grass Is Greener, World Cup

Sergio Goycoechea was not even supposed to play in World Cup 1990, as the starting goalkeeper of Argentina was undoubtedly Nery Pumpido. But when Pumpido suffered an injury, the first choice became this unknown goalie with a cowboy face, who ended up leading the Albiceleste up to the Final match, shattering Italy's Notti Magiche dreams along the way.

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